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Washington Post sale to Jeff Bezos: News reacts

The host of “Dan Rather Reports” said that if Bezos brings the innovation and tech know-how he showed at Amazon, “he may with The Washington Post lay out something that will save print journalism as we know it.”

Rather said the outcome of such major media acquisitions ultimately depends on the attitude of the new owner.

“When I heard this news this afternoon, my reaction was holy online news, Batman!” Rather said. “But after I caught my breath a little, I did come down to it makes a difference of who buys the newspaper. And this one, whether it turns out to be something good for The Washington Post, good for quality journalism with integrity, good for the country or just good for Bezos depends on his attitude as the owner of the newspaper.”

“Great journalism begins with owners and publishers who have guts, who don’t back up don’t back down when the pressure’s on. Who don’t succumb to what I’ve previously called the corporatization, the politicalization and trivialization of the news,” Rather said.